Taking It Back (CC/M/L/ Teen) 5/15 ~ pts 25-26 A/N

[roswellbrat]

Taking It Back

By: roswellbrat

Category: CC M/L

Rating: Teen

Disclaimer: I own neither the characters or the television show. Any new characters are solely the figment of my imagination

Summary: This story takes place eight months after Graduation. Growing tired of being on the run, they decide it's time to return to Roswell to take their lives back. Soon after returning, they will find out what really happened in their other life and what Liz really means to their future.

A/N I normally post all my stories at the Sci-fi boards, but someone recommended that I bring it here for you to read. I hope you like it, too. Some times I get carried away and can be a bit long, so be forwarned.




Taking It Back


Sometime during the night the air must have cooled off, the room now had a slight chill to it. Max could feel Liz had snuggled closer to him, drawing on his body heat. Pulling the blanket over them, he wrapped his arm around her, closed his eyes and fell back to sleep.

The light of morning was making its way into the room, opening one eye, he saw her watching him. Smiling, he cups her face in his hands and gives her their first kiss of the day.

“All our days should start off like that…” She says as she returns the kiss.

“Don’t they?”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Sighing, she rests her head on his chest. “Someday, I hope we can wake up in our own place, not some motel room. I want to be able to make us a home, Max. I love that we help people, but sometimes I’d just like to help us for once…”

Looking around the room, it looked like all the others they had been in since they left Roswell. They never even had a day alone; it was always the six of them. He loved them all, they were his family, but sometimes it could be overwhelming. There were times he just wanted Liz to himself, to be able to do some of the little things a husband does for his wife, like fix her breakfast in bed. Granted, it wouldn’t be much since the best thing he could fix would probably be cold cereal or toast; but it was the idea of being able to do it. Thinking about Isabel and Jesse and what they gave up, it angered him at the way they had to destroy their lives. It wasn’t fair; they never hurt anyone…why should they have to pay for the paranoia of the government. Scooting up he pulls Liz with him, looking deep into her eyes; he wanted to be able to read her reaction at what he was going to say. Taking a deep breath he asks her “What would you say about going back, back home to Roswell?”

She didn’t know what to say, taking a minute to think about it, she finally answers him. “Max, do you know how dangerous it would be?” Sensing he was about to say something, she covers his lips with her fingers. “We would be sitting ducks…they could come in at anytime, we would always have to watch our backs.” Smiling at him, she gives him what he wants to hear. “But, we do that anyway, always looking back…wondering if we might have made a mistake. At least there we would be on familiar ground; we’d know who to trust. There would only be a few people we could really depend on.” Seeing the relief on his face, she brings up the one thing that might destroy his plan. “I know we, the six of us, could probably pretty much defend ourselves, but, if we were living back in Roswell, how much danger would our families be in…?”

“How much danger are they in now? They could be picked up at any time, the government knows of ways to get the message to us if they had them, if they were going to do anything to them…but they haven’t. We can’t keep running scared anymore. I think it’s time we took it back…”

“Take what back, Max?”

“Our lives and our destinies, they’re in Roswell.” Looking down at her, he sees that she understands what he is feeling, not that he expected anything less from her, she always knew what was in his heart. “Besides, there is always the pod chamber, it could be our main line of defense…no one but us can get in.” Drawing her to him, he looks at the clock; he knew that they wouldn’t have to meet the others for breakfast for another hour…

As they walked into the motel dining room they saw that the others were already at the table. Looking at his watch, Kyle grins. “Over sleep did we?” Liz starts to blush.

After the waitress brings their coffee, Max looks around the room. It was a slow day, so they had the place to themselves. “I have a proposition. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired. I’m tired of running, tired of worrying about our families…we need to take our lives back. Let’s go home.”

He’s greeted with four stunned faces…he doesn’t know how they’ll react. After what seems like an eternity, he couldn’t stand it any longer…”Well? Doesn’t anyone have anything to say?”

Isabel is busy thinking of the possibilities; maybe Jesse could come home too. Of course, he’d have to give up his job…she didn’t think it would be possible for her to go to him. The four of them needed to be together, they needed each others strength in case the time would ever come for them to defend what they have. She now included Liz as the fourth. Liz, in her own way, had become stronger than Tess would have been…she had the ability to connect to Max in a way that no one else could. She intensified Max’s powers.

Kyle was busy thinking of his father and his grandfather. He was worried about his grandfather and how is father would react should anything happen to him. They still had so much time to make up for, maybe if he was there, he could ease their situation, bring them closer before it’s too late.

Maria looked at these people she had been living with all this time. She loved them all, but she too longed to be home. Her mother had been through so much, she wanted to explain all the things that happened. She knew that her mother had an idea about what had gone on, but it was all second hand. She needed to tell her what she was feeling and that she never meant to hurt her with all the things that she had put her through…but it had been necessary, to keep her and the others safe.

Michael looks first at Max, then at the others. “You’re right Maxwell, it’s time. When do we leave?”


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Here is part two I hope you like it.



Taking It Back
Part Two


She came out of the bathroom, stopping in the doorway to watch him. He didn't know she was there, which pleased her...he was always more himself when he felt he wasn't being observed. Not that he wasn't himself around her; he could never truly hide his feelings from her. He just seemed to let those nagging questions surface when he didn’t think anyone knew he had them.

“It’s okay you know, you made the right choice…it’s time to go home. It’s for the best, no matter how it turns out.”

“How do you do that? You just…I don’t know…” He turned around to look at her. She walked across the room and set their things from the bathroom on the bed, then looked up at him.

“Look into your soul? You only have yourself to blame for that you know.” Standing on her tip toes she reaches up to kiss his cheek.

“Myself? How do you figure?” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulls her up to him.

“Well, if you hadn’t saved my life, I would have never been able to see into your soul.” Her eyes were serious; she remembers that day every day of her life.

“If I hadn’t saved your life that day, I wouldn’t have a soul left to see into…”



“Well Spaceboy, what are you going to do once we get back home?” Maria was checking the closet to make sure they had everything.

“I wonder if I can get my old job back…I kinda left without any notice…” Looking in the mirror he put a stray hair back in place. “And since we were kinda responsible for my other job burning down, I don’t think it holds any potential.”

“I know the owner of your old job; I’ll put in a good word for you.” She winked at him.

“Huh, you left with just as much notice as I did. Maybe the owner’s daughter can help. I’m just wondering where I’m going to live…I don’t think my old landlord saved my place for me.” Walking over to Maria, he helps her get something from the top shelf of the closet. She turns around and takes hold of his shirt.

“I think we can make arrangements for you. I happen to have a very understanding landlord.” She kisses him on the cheek.

“I seem to recall a few comments from that landlord not too long ago.” Picking up the suitcase he puts it on the bed.

“Well, that was only because we had her Jetta and were heading across the state line, again. I think she’s over it by now.”

He gave her a skeptical look. “We’ll see.”


It was hard to believe that in a matter of one or two days they would be back walking the streets of their hometown. Kyle reached to pick up the last of his stuff off the bed, and then put it in his duffle bag. Home. The best thing he ever heard.


Isabel picked up Jesse’s picture, “Maybe we can finally get things back on track…maybe we really can have a marriage.” Wiping the tear from her eye, she gently places his picture in her suitcase. Would he be willing to give up his new job and everything that went with it? Did he love her that much? “I hope so.” She said to her reflection.


They met in the parking lot, eagerness to hit the road showed in every face. Max, Michael and Kyle loaded the bags, it was one of their travel traditions that none of them would miss. The girls checked to make sure they had enough stuff in the cooler to last most of the day. “Do we have enough Tabasco to last until we get home…oh that does sound wonderful.” They all grinned at the thought of their parents’ faces when they knocked on their doors.

“We should be fine until we get back. Does anyone know how we’re going to handle telling them, do we just show up and hope they don’t drop over with a heart attack?” Maria could just imagine her mother’s face.

“We have a long way to go…we’ll have plenty of time to figure it out.” Max was climbing into the driver’s seat. Liz took her usual place; it was one of the few things she would miss about being on the road, always being next to him. Once they returned to the real world, they would have to be like all the other married couples, paying their way in life. But that was good too; they could finally be on their own.

“Does everyone have all their stuff?” Looking behind him he sees the happy faces of his family,
“Then look out Roswell! Here we come…”


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Taking It Back
Part Three



Jim Valenti looked at the stack of papers on his desk; he had been putting off the filing for a long time. As a matter of fact, some of it went back to when he came back on the force. This was one part of police work that he didn’t miss, but it had to get done. Sighing, he decided to do the oldest first. After flipping over the pile, he starts to go through months of routine cases, until he found something he didn’t know existed. It was a notification from the FBI, dated two days after graduation. Jim stared at the faces of Max, Michael, Isabel and Liz; they were wanted for questioning concerning matters of national security. Surely no one took this seriously, but just in case they would, he wasn’t about to show this to anyone. Looking around, he makes sure that no one sees him fold the paper and tuck it into his jacket pocket. He would have to find a safe place to destroy it…no one could know that they were being hunted.

“Jim, if you want to go to lunch now, go ahead.” Hanson stuck his head around the corner. “I have an appointment this afternoon, so it would be great if you’d go now, since I might need you to cover things then.”

“Sure, no problem. Can I bring you something back?” It still seemed strange to answer to him, but what he gave up to protect the kids was worth it. Hanson was a good guy, there were times that he still turned to Valenti, a lot of times really; he just didn’t have a lot of the experiences that Jim had.

“No, I’m good. Have you heard from Kyle yet? It just seems strange that he’d leave town like that and not keep in touch.” Shaking his head, he turns and goes back to his office.

Jim was glad that he answered his own question, he hated to lie to him, but when it came to protecting his son and the rest of his “family” he’d do whatever was necessary. Picking up his jacket, he heads over to the Crashdown Café, maybe Geoff Parker could help him destroy the evidence he had hidden in his pocket.


Max stared out the window, they had been traveling for hours, coming closer to home with each turn of the wheels. “If we keep up this pace, we should be in Roswell by morning. But if anyone wants to stop for the night, we can make one more stop, no problem.” He looked at Liz and winked, he knew better than to ask that…everyone was too anxious to get home.

“The only way I want to stop is if we blow a tire or we’re sucking gas fumes…no other reason is acceptable!” Kyle couldn’t wait to finally get home and sleep in his own bed.

“Hey Kyle? Do you think your dad would take in a boarder if I can’t stay at Maria’s? I never know what to expect from her mom.” He looked at Maria, the last thing that he wanted to do is leave her at her mom’s, but it might have to come down to that if her mom wouldn’t let him stay there.

“Michael, if you can’t stay there, I’m going with you. I don’t care if we have to sleep in the van. I won’t be separated from you, no matter what…” They might not show what they feel like Max and Liz, but that didn’t matter, they’re feelings were just as strong.

“Maria, if it comes down to that, it won’t be for long, just until I can save enough to get another place. Maybe I could be lucky enough to get my old place back.” He looked at her and grinned.

“Or not.” She mumbles under her breath.

“What, did you say something?”

“Oh, I said that’s hot!” She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but if she never saw that place again she’d be happy.

“I think Liz and I will probably stay at her parent’s place…” Max looks at Isabel to see her reaction.

“Thanks Max, that means I’ll have to stay at Mom and Dad’s all by myself…you know what that will mean. They’ll drive me crazy with questions.” She rolls her eyes, trying hard not to think about staying at home again.

“Don’t worry; we’ll be getting our share of questions. Maybe we should pool our money, well once we get some of course, and share a house.” Liz didn’t realize what she was saying.

“Liz” Maria looks at her, then pinches her cheeks. “I love ya, babe. But we have been one big happy family for almost eight months now. I kind of think we would be defeating our purpose.”

“Sorry, I just didn’t think. It’ll just seem strange not seeing everyone every day.”

“Never fear, Maria and I will probably be seeing you everyday. If your dad will let us come back that is. Think you could put in a good word for us?”

“I don’t even know if I’ll have a job there myself…”



Geoff Parker looked at the lunch crowd, then flipped over the last two burgers he’d put on the grill. “I’d give anything to have those three back.” He grumbled to himself. Who knew that three teenagers could keep this place running better than he could…he didn’t realize how rusty he was.
Looking up, he sees Jim Valenti walk in the door; he had a funny, almost guilty look on his face.
Serving up the two burgers, he puts them on the ledge waiting for a pickup. “I’ll be back.” Pointing at a few things on the grill he tells the other cook to keep an eye on them.

“Hey, Jim, can I get you anything?” He was drying his hands as he came out of the kitchen.

“I need to talk to you, you know in private. It’s important, if you know what I mean.” He tried not to look too obvious as he followed Geoff into the break room.

“Does this have to do with the kids?” He was starting to get worried.

Jim quickly pulls out the paper, showing it to Geoff. “I need to destroy this. No one can see it.”

“Where did you get this? Are the FBI still looking for them?” He stood there looking at the pictures on the paper.

“This is dated two days after the graduation…so hopefully it’s all old news by now.”

They exchange glances knowing that was only wishful thinking on their part. “I know what we can do with it.” Sticking the paper in the pocket of his apron, he goes back into the kitchen. “Dave, could you go into the storeroom and get me another case of ketchup, I think we’re getting low.”

“But…I just got…” Looking a his boss he could tell it was better to do what he asks and not mention that he had just asked him to bring up a case of ketchup an hour ago.

Once he was alone in the kitchen, he removed the paper from his apron. Ripping it into a few smaller pieces, he holds it over the flames of the grill, charring it beyond recognition.


Everyone was trying to stay calm; they were only a few miles outside of Roswell. Michael was driving, Maria looked like she would jump right out of her skin if you said one word to her. Glancing to his right, Michael realized where they were. Just ahead stood the pod chamber. Suddenly he takes a right turn onto the dirt road.

“Michael! Where are you going? We’re almost home!”

Michael didn’t say a thing, he just exchanged looks with Max in the rearview mirror. Max knew without being told what he was doing. As they got closer, Max stood up. Everyone was wondering what was going on. “Liz, stand up for a minute, there’s something I have to get.”
After she stood up, Max waved his hand near the one end of the couch. A small door opened revealing the box the alien artifacts were stored in.

“That’s where they disappeared to! Good idea Max. Now, tell what’s going on.” Isabel was getting impatient.

“We have to put these somewhere safe before we go back into town. We can’t risk them falling into the wrong hands.” Picking up the box, he waits for Michael to stop the van. “Come on Liz, I need you to do something. You guys might as well wait here. We’ll be right back.”

Walking up the path to the pod chamber, Michael has yet to figure out why they brought Liz. “Okay, I give up why did Liz need to come?”

“I’m curious too, Max.”

“I need to know something.” When they get to where they would open the pod chamber door, Michael starts to place his hand on the rock formation. “No, let Liz do it.”

“Maxwell, as far as we know the only people that can unlock the pod chamber is the royal four. I know Liz is changing and is getting powers, but that doesn’t make her one of us…nothing personal, Liz.”

“No problem, Michael.”

“Go ahead Liz…I have to know.” She looks at him, “This is crazy” she thinks to herself.

“Max, there’s no way I can do this…”

“Please, if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”

“Okay.” Placing her hand on the spot that she had seen them use before, it only took a few seconds for the door to slide open…


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

I'm glad you are enjoying it! Here is part 4!


Taking It Back
Part Four



For once in his life Michael was speechless. "How long did you know?"

Max looked at Liz, flashes of their lives passed between them, everything from the past was there and the hopes for the future were there too.

"Always." Passing the box to Michael, he takes Liz's hand and walks into the pod chamber. This would be the first time for her to see it when there wasn't some earth shattering, life changing event going on. This was his past, maybe it had something to do with hers too. He didn't know, he just knew that they had a lot to discover about their lives and they had already wasted eight months running.

Michael and Max head to the area where the Granolith had been stored, they needed to see how much damage was done when it transported Tess home. Max turns to look over his shoulder to look at Liz; she was looking with wonder at the four pods that had housed her husband and his family.

"It's that one right there." He points at what once was his pod.

"Thank you." She turns and smiles at him.

Walking back to Michael, he looks at him “What?”

“You guys freak me out! One of these days you won’t even have to talk to each other, all you’ll have to do is look into each others eyes…” Michael takes the box and sets it on a ledge. Looking up, he sees that the space that held the Granolith was no worse for the wear. “What did this place do? Heal itself.”

Max runs his hand down the wall. “For want of a better word, I think it did.”

They hear a sound from near the pods, Max runs back to see what had happened. Liz was standing with her hand on his pod, a look of surprise and shock was on her face. “Liz, what did you see? Are you okay?”

As she turns, he sees tears in her eyes. “I saw your mother…Max, she’s beautiful”

“My mother, you mean the one from the message?” Max was confused.

“No, your mother…” She is pointing at him. “She was saying good bye to you and Isabel, she was crying. I think I saw her put something into you pod, like a paper of some kind, I don’t know.”

“Liz, there is nothing in there anymore…it was just us in there. I don’t remember ever seeing any paper.” He walks over to stand beside her. Liz reaches over to touch the pod again; Max takes her hand at the same moment. Suddenly they are both filled with the vision of Max’s mother saying her good byes again. Then Max saw it for himself…she had written a message on a paper and tied it with a navy blue ribbon, then placed it in Max’s pod. “Oh my God…what was that?”
He reaches in, covering every spot in it, he finds no paper. “Nothing, maybe Nesado found it when he got Tess.”

“No Max, the feeling is too strong; it still has to be in there.” She reaches her hand into it, as she does a strange blue light starts to glow in the pod.

“What the hell?” Michael didn’t know what to say. “Liz, what did you do? Max what does this mean?”

“Darned if I know…” Max was just as confused. As he turns around, he sees Liz pull a piece of parchment out of the pod, it was tied with a navy blue ribbon. As they were standing there not knowing what to do the door of the pod chamber comes open.

“What is taking you guys so long? What is that, Max?” Isabel walks over as Liz unties the ribbon. On the paper was a message written in their language, it was written by their mother.

“It’s a message from our mother; Liz saw it in a flash…” Liz hands the paper to them, they run their hands over it. “This is from home, from our mother…now, we have to try to figure out what it says.”

Isabel has tears in her eyes, even though she couldn’t remember that life, she now had something from that past. “I wonder what it means, is it just a note or a warning of some kind…What do we do with it Max? I don’t want to leave it here.” She didn’t want to let it go, but she knew that it rightfully belonged to Max. Handing it to him, she was surprised when he turned and hands it to Liz.

“I don’t know why, but I have this feeling that it was meant for her.” Liz carefully rolls up the paper and ties it with the blue ribbon. “I think we should leave it here with the rest of the things, I want to keep it safe for a few days. Things could get crazy until we get settled in again…”

Liz nods, giving him back the scroll. As she hands it to him, he feels a strange energy passing between them as their hands touch. “I think we’ve had enough excitement for tonight, well enough alien excitement that is…now we need to go have some human excitement!” He winks at them. Pausing by the door, he has Liz unlock it for them.

“Things keep getting weirder.” Michael just shakes his head.



They were parked outside the Crashdown in the alley. Trying to keep quiet, Max runs his hand over the lock on the back door. Looking at his watch, Kyle let’s them know that it’s only five in the morning. “Don’t you think it’s a little early for breaking and entering?”

“My dad will be up soon, I think we should fix him some breakfast.” She looks at them and smiles.

“I got the grill! Hope he doesn’t call the cops.”

“If we don’t keep quiet, we’ll spoil the surprise. I wonder if our lockers are still the way we left them.” Maria felt like she was coming home…well almost.

As they walked through the break room and the kitchen on their way to the table area, they see nothing has changed. This might prove to be tricky, trying to cook in almost total darkness. Well, there was some light coming in from the street. As Michael starts to gather the stuff to make the sausage, Isabel comes over and holds her hand over his work space. There was just enough light coming from her to help him see. “Thanks”

“Don’t mention it.” She smiles at him.

Liz and Maria start setting the table, looking around, it felt like they never left, everything was the same…well, maybe not everything…


Nancy rolled over, listening. “Geoff, I think that there is something going on down stairs.”

“It’s five o’clock in the morning, what self respecting burglar breaks in at this time of the day?”
Reaching for his jeans and a shirt, he heads to the stairs…

“Shhh! We have to be quiet!” The girls get another burst of the giggles. “SHHHH!”

Listening from the stairs, Geoff tries to figure out what’s going on. “A burglar that fixes breakfast?” Wishing he would have grabbed the baseball bat from the closet, he decides to just take a chance. Walking around the corner he is greeted by Liz.

“Morning Dad,” Holding up a glass of juice. “Would you like juice with your coffee?”


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

This is just the set up to the story, the really good parts are coming!



Taking It Back
Part Five


Max stood by his favorite booth watching as Mr. Parker came around the corner. At first the look was one of shock, then surprise then absolute joy, Max had never seen him smile that big before.

"You did good, Max. It was time to come home. Here” Kyle hands Max a cup of coffee. Max takes a long drink and smiles.

"Thanks, I sure missed the Crashdown coffee. I don't know why, but there’s nothing like it."

"I know why...because it reminds you of home."

"When did you get so smart Kyle?"

"Nothing like being locked in a cave with strange glowing blue crystals to improve a person’s insight." Kyle and Max look toward Liz and her father, she is waving to Max to come over to them. “Well, looks like it’s time to answer to the father-in-law.”

“Thanks for your new insight…wish me luck.”

“Max, thank you so much for bringing everyone home!” Geoff walks over to Max and gives him a hug. ‘This is a good thing, I think.’ Max thinks, returning the hug.

“I thought it was time, sir. I think we can defend ourselves better here than on the road.”

“Let’s talk about that later. Right now I think I’ll call the morning staff and tell them not to come in until about 11:00, that should give us all plenty of time. Then I’m going to call your parents and have everyone meet here.”

“Dad, we were kinda hoping to surprise them.” Liz didn’t want to ruin the others surprises.

“I can do that, trust me.” He turns to head up the stairs to make the calls. On the way up he runs into Nancy.

“Geoff, what’s going on? You didn’t come back up; I started to get worried…”

“Oh, sorry, I was hiring a new cook and two new waitresses.” He smiles at her. At first she didn’t get it, and then when she realized what he meant, she ran down the stairs. “Ten, nine, eight, seven…” He hears the excited squeals of his wife and daughter and he smiles.

He called the morning help and told them that they weren’t needed because of a water leak, but they could come in at 11:00 to help with the lunch shift. Then he began the other calls, the Evans would be first, he hated to call them at 5:30 to give them a cryptic message about the kids, but he figured it would be worth it once they got here. He waited for the phone to be picked up.

Phillip Evans kept hearing the alarm go off…or was it? Rolling over, he looked at the clock; he thought it said 5:30. Who could that be calling at this ungodly hour? “Hello, who is this? Don’t you know that it’s 5:30 in the morning?”

“Phillip, I hate to wake you this early, but we um sort of have a situation with the kids.” Geoff was smiling, he hopes Phillip didn’t pick up his excitement over the phone.

Phillip was wide awake now. “A situation? What kind of situation? Is everything okay?”

“I can’t really talk about it now, if you know what I mean.” They always worried about their phones being bugged. “Could you and Diane come over here in about 45 minutes? I can explain it then.”

“We’ll be there!” Hanging up the phone, he shakes Diane. “Wake up, we have to go over to the Crashdown, something has happened and Geoff needs us there.”

“What? Is it serious…?”

“I don’t know, he couldn’t talk, but he wants us there in about 45 minutes.” He got out of bed; Diane looks at the clock, moans then falls back down on the bed. Realizing what she was doing, she jumps up to get dressed.


Geoff felt bad not being able to tell them, but it was what the kids wanted. Picking up the phone, he calls Jim Valenti and Amy DeLuca. Everyone would be here soon!


Going back down stairs, he sees Nancy, Liz and Maria talking. Max was standing by himself, watching them. Walking over to Max, he wraps his arm around Max’s shoulder. “Son, I think it’s time we had a talk.” Max swallows hard and follows him to the other side of the dining room where there is more privacy.

“Max, first of all I want to thank you for what you did for Liz that day, how you put yourself on the line for her…then I want to apologize for being such a jerk towards you after Utah…”

“Please, none of that is necessary, you only did what a father would do, you protected your daughter.” Looking towards Liz and her mother Max could feel his heart pound as he remembered the day he almost lost her. If he had failed that day, he might as well have died with her because everything he needed to live for would have been gone. Geoff watched as Liz turned to look at Max, it was like they were the only two people in the room and they didn’t even need to speak to each other, it was all there in that one look. Turning to look at Geoff, he continues. “Sir, I would gladly die for her, she’s what brings me to life.” Thinking back to some of what he had read in Liz's diary, he realized that Max had given his life for her and she had done the same for him. It seemed that they were old souls that traveled through time to be together, that they would always go as far as it took to complete their destinies.

“Max, please quit calling me “sir”, it makes me feel old. You can call me dad, or if that makes you uncomfortable, call me Geoff, just please, no more sir.” He looks at the seriousness of Max’s face, knowing that there was something more he wanted to say. “Okay, spill it, I know that you want to say something else…is it something we need to worry about?”

“This probably isn’t the time and place to tell you, but it’s important. I don’t know how much she told you about why she went to Vermont, but it will make a difference in everyone’s life.”

“She just said that her life was falling apart, that she needed to get away…was there something else?” He was beginning to worry.

“Well, because I healed her, she started changing…she started to become more like…like…”

“Please, please, no matter how bad it is, we can deal with it.”

“She is becoming alien, like us.” He waited for his reaction; none came, so he went on. “I didn’t know this could happen, we didn’t find out until Ava, you know the girl from New York…”

“The one with the purple hair?”

Max nods, “She told Liz and Isabel that since I brought her back that she would be different. That’s how she knew certain things, she can see the future. I think it was meant to be, that’s what saved our lives at graduation…she saw it in a dream. Her powers are getting stronger and we don’t know what to expect. Just today she found something we didn’t know even existed. I feel that it must be something important and that it was only meant for her to find, maybe as a verification that she is changing into who she was meant to be. I know that this is scary for you, heck it’s scary for us and we’ve lived with it for a lot longer. We can only hope to be able to figure out everything…a little at a time”

Geoff was stunned by the news; he looked at Liz then at Max. What a wonder it was, this love and this destiny that they shared. Never had two people been blessed to have found each other, but he began to feel that it was their fate and that their love might one day save everyone.
“Okay, Max. Let’s start over, but first I want to tell you that I am in awe of what you two have. I feel I am greatly honored to be a part of this…this strange new world that is opening in front of me. Once again thank you, I’m proud to call you my son.” He smiles at Max with tears in his eyes, Max returns the look, this would be their new beginning...

Liz turned just in time to see Max offer his hand to her father and the look of admiration passing between them. Her mother looks at her wondering what caused the tear that was rolling down her cheek, just as she was about to ask, Liz points towards the two men, the most important men in their lives and she knew.

Suddenly there was a knock on the front door. “Well, I guess it’s show time!”


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Okay, since you guys are liking it so much I'll give you an extra one today. Then I'll probably post two over the weekend. I'm finishing up writing the sequel now. But that is posted at Sci-fi...will bring it here when this one is done



Taking It Back
Part Six



Geoff pulled the blind back making sure that it was the parents. As he turned to look at the eager faces of the kids, he realized that this would be a turning point for everyone. "Ready?" They all nod as he opens the door, slowly.

"Geoff, let us in, we need to know what's going on!" Phillip Evans was not in the mood to wait, he wanted answers...now.

"Okay, come on in." As he opens the door, the looks on their faces matched his own a little while ago. "Sorry if I scared you, but they wanted this to be a surprise..." As he looked around, he realized that no one had heard him, but that was okay they were busy.

Everyone was laughing and talking at the same time, no one stopped until everyone had been hugged at least twice. As they started to drift to the different tables the parents kept looking at their children hoping that this wasn’t a dream.

“So, how long will you be staying?” Amy was afraid to ask, she was afraid they would be gone tomorrow.

“We’re not leaving, we’ve come home. We need to be here, it’s where we’re supposed to be.” Michael reached over and put his arm on the back of Maria’s chair, running his hand back and forth over her shoulder. Maria puts her hand up to touch his, then she looks at him. Amy could see the love between them…that they had grown into strong adults.

“Won’t that be dangerous for you? You could be tracked down here.” Diane Evans kept watching Isabel and Max, needing to be reassured about their safety. “How can you be safe here?”

“Mom, we’re in danger wherever we go…only when we’re here we have a better idea who to trust. We have a place to hide that will be able to protect us.” Isabel could tell by the look on her mother’s face that she wasn’t convinced.

“We have the pod chamber; it will be our best line of defense. No one can get in but us. We’re going to stock it with food and water and maybe some sleeping bags, we’ll be safe there.” Max goes over to sit by his mother; he rubs his hand on her back to reassure her. Remembering what he saw early this morning, he thought both of his mothers were beautiful. Looking at Liz, he feels her trust in him, that he would protect them all, no matter what the cost.

Kyle was sitting with Jim at a table near the corner. His father looked contented, like he had finally adjusted to his life as a deputy. “How’s grandpa?”

“About the same, I went to see him the other day.” The subject made him nervous; he didn’t want to tell Kyle that the “other day” was really two months ago. “So, what was being on the road like?”

“Long.” Kyle looked at his father; he had picked up on the subtle change of subject. “We had some good times, we helped some people along the way…but it’s great to be back home.”

“I’m taking orders for breakfast! What can I get everyone?” Geoff started to write down what they wanted. Michael heads for the kitchen, Maria and Liz get up to help.

Phillip walks over to Max, sitting down next to him he studies Max’s face. “So, is everything okay? I know that we discussed so much before you had to leave…but I’ve always felt that I should have done more. I want to apologize for what I did to you.”

“Apologize? Dad, you’ve done that and all of that is over now. We all want to start over now that everyone finally knows the truth. Life will be a lot easier for us all now. So if we mysteriously go out of town for whatever reason, at least you’ll understand that it’s not that we’re avoiding things but because it’s necessary.” As he gives his father a smile, Phillip remembers that lost little boy that they brought home all those years ago.

“Do you think that you can get away for a few minutes? I have something I want to give you.”

“Sure, I think they can save our breakfast until we get back.” Standing up he walks to the kitchen. “Dad wants me to go with him somewhere, I shouldn’t be too long.” Liz turns to look at him, some of his old glow had come back. Reaching up, she kisses him deeply, he looks at her smiling. “I’ll only be gone a few minutes.”

“I just want to make sure you’ll come back.” She grins at him.

“Always.” He returns the kiss, deeper than the one she gave him.

“Excuse me…excuse…” Phillip didn’t want to bother them. He was amazed at what Liz did to his son, how alive she made him.

“Give them a minute, they’ve been apart all of…” After looking at the clock, Michael looks back at Max’s father. “Five minutes…for them that’s a record.”

Reluctantly Max pulls away from Liz, smiling the whole time. “Okay, let’s go Dad.” Looking at Liz he touches her face. “We’ll be right back.”



Phillip pulls up in front of his house. “Have you thought about where you’re going to stay? I mean we have plenty of space at the house.” He looks hopefully at Max.

“Well, Liz and I thought that we’d probably stay with her parents, at least for now. As soon as we can afford it we’ll be getting a place of our own.” He looked at his father seeing that he was trying to hide his disappointment. “Isabel will be staying with you, if that’s okay…I mean Jesse is far away in Boston. It’s been really hard on her, this separation. I think it will do her good to be home.”

“Of course it’s okay, I guess I can’t be selfish and have both of my kids staying with me. The Parkers deserve to have Liz with them…unless you stay here and she can stay with them.” He tried to hide his smile…if ever two people couldn’t stand to be separated it would be those two.

“Well, that could be an option; I’ll discuss it with Liz.” Max returns the look his father gave him.

Putting his hand on Max’s shoulder Phillip starts to laugh. “It’s great to have you home son. Come inside, I have something to show you.” He pushes the button to open the garage door.

Max looks around, everything seemed familiar. As he turns around, his eyes adjusting to the darkness of the garage, he sees his father uncovering something.

“I saved this for you, you know in case you ever came back home.”

Max stared in amazement as his father uncovered the blue Chevelle. It looked good as new, like someone had been taking care of it.

“I just had it tuned up and some new tires put on it.” Reaching to a nail on the wall he gets the keys and tosses them to Max. “Welcome home, son.”

“Thanks Dad, it’s great to be back.” It was all he could say, this small thing that his father had done meant more to him than he could ever express. But looking at his father now, he knew that he understood.

“Okay, let’s get back, I’m starved. Besides, I don’t want your wife to think you aren’t coming back.”

“Dad, there is one thing in this world or should I say in this universe that I know, it’s that Liz will never doubt that I’m coming back to her.” Smiling, he jumps into his car; yes it was great to be back.


While Max and Phillip were gone, they had pushed enough tables together so that everyone could sit together. As they sat there eating Jim started to watch Max, he could tell that there was something going on in his mind, something serious. After all of the things they had been through, Jim knew that whatever it was it would weigh heavy on him until he could let it out. But he would wait, let everyone enjoy this time, he had a feeling that things would start catching up with them, soon.

Looking at the clock, Geoff knew that it would soon be time to get things ready for the day’s business. “I hate to break up this party, but it’s getting to be the time for me to start getting ready for the day. If you want we can move this upstairs…”

Jim realized that this was the time to ask Max about what was on his mind. “If we have time before we go, I think Max has something on his mind, something important. Am I right, Max?”

Liz reached over and touched Max’s hand. She knew what he had to say and it would be hard for him, because it might cause trouble between Michael and Isabel and him. But he was right in what he was thinking; he had worried about it for days and they had spent much of their alone time discussing it.

Standing up, he faced the group. Looking at Isabel and Michael he was afraid to say what was on his mind; but in order for them to be safe they would once again have to break their pact. “I think it’s time we let some people in…well two really. They could be important in our survival.”


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Taking It Back
Part Seven



There was a hush in the room, Max looked at Michael and Isabel, they just stared at him. Liz looked at them, waiting for Michael to explode. Nothing. Finally, Jim cleared his throat. “Okay, Max, who do you think is so important that we need to tell them? I know you wouldn’t have brought this up if you didn’t think it was necessary.”

Liz gave him a look of thanks; he knew how hard it was for Max to start this. Why didn’t Michael and Isabel say something?

“Wait Maxwell, I know there would have been a time that I would have chewed off your head for that remark, but maybe you’re right. Sometimes you have to take a chance and trust people.” Michael looked at Max, he hadn’t steered them wrong yet and hopefully he would be right this time too.

Maria looked at him not knowing what to say. “Who are you and what have you done with my Spaceboy?” She was proud of him, he never would have been so willing to listen before…maybe all those months on the road were worth it.

“I want to bring in Brody, first. He already has had contact, even if he isn’t aware of it. I think he would be able to handle it the best. Maybe if he hears about Larek, he will be more at ease to know that he isn’t being abducted in the usual sense of the word. Besides, he has the equipment that we need. With what he knows we should be able to stay on top of all our enemies, from here and there.” He points to the ceiling.

“I agree Brody could be a help. He’s open minded enough to be willing to accept what we tell him. He has the interest and once he learns about Larek it might make his life a little easier.” Michael couldn’t believe that those words had come out of his mouth, but he was glad. He got it now. It would the handful of them taking on something that could lead them who knows where and they needed all the good help that they could get. Finally he felt like he had earned the title of second in command. “Who’s the other one?”

“This may be a tough one.” Max turned to look at Jim. “I am depending on your honest thoughts on this person. I want to bring in Hanson.”

A soft whistle escaped from Jim. “Hanson?” He ran his hand through his hair. “I can see why, if things get a little weird having the two of us working together could help cover things. I’m just not sure. How soon do you need my answer?”

“We’ve went this long, a few more days won’t hurt. But I definitely think Brody should be involved as soon as possible…” Max looked up at the time. “It’s getting late and we need to clear out of here so things can go back to normal.” Looking at his father-in-law he added “You realize that normal will no longer be part of your vocabulary, don’t you?”

Geoff looked at him and smiled “Well, it’s about time! I’m tired of being left out of all of your fun.”

The six of them look at each other and start to laugh.

“Remember that the next time you’re being chased down the road by the FBI and they use an uzi to take out your back window!”

“Oh my God! Is that what happened to my Jetta!” Amy couldn’t believe her ears. The expression on her face was priceless.


They gathered up their stuff to go upstairs to continue their meeting, Kyle, Max and Michael offered to stay downstairs to help put the tables away. “No, you guys go on up, I’ve got it covered. I think that there’s a few more things you’ll want to go over with everyone.”

“Are you’re sure…we don’t mind helping.” Max didn’t want to get in the way already.

“No, I’ll be fine. Go ahead. Besides Michael will be working soon enough.”

“I guess there is something good about living in a van…”

“Sore backs, cramped necks and listening to Michael snore. Yea!” Kyle couldn’t resist.


Everyone was sitting around the Parker living room. Liz looked around, how different it seemed even though nothing had changed. Maybe it was because she had changed…she had grown.

Max, Michael and Kyle came in, Max sat next to her on the couch. Michael sat on the arm of the chair Maria was in. Kyle looked around the room, and decided the floor was as good as any place to sit.

“Gee Max, after you tell Brody you’re little secret, do you think you’ll get your job back?

“I hope so. I hope my decision to tell him isn’t a mistake. We need him; he knows a lot of what’s going on out there. When I go to talk to him, I think it would be best to take Maria along. He always had a soft spot for her.” Michael gives him a dirty look.

“Got to make sure to bring along a Galaxy sub, hold the mayo and lots of pepper jack. Does that constitute a bribe?” Maria missed Brody, he could be a little strange at times, but he was always interesting.

Liz was looking around, she hadn’t seen her mother for a long time. Maybe she was downstairs helping her father. Max reaches his hand around and starts to massage her neck; he could feel the tension slowly leave. Liz looked at him, how did he always know what she needed? His look seemed to answer her question, because he could see into her soul too.

“Now can we change the subject for a few minutes? Does everyone have a place to stay? I tried to convince Max to come and stay at home with us, but for some reason it didn’t work.” He looked at Max and smiled, it was kind of like their private joke.

“Well, I think we’re all pretty well set, if I can get my old room back that is…” Isabel looks at her parents. “I promise I won’t make anything fly around like last time.”

Michael started to move around, what was he going to say? Would he stand a chance with Maria’s mother? He looked at Maria, waiting for her to say something. Amy finally stood up and stretched her legs. “Are we done with our meeting Max? Or is there more we need to discuss? I have a shipment coming in and no one can sign for it but me…”

“Sure, I guess that’s about it for now, at least for you guys. I’ll need to get with everyone else later.” Looking at Liz, he desperately wanted some time alone with her. “Maybe tomorrow…”

“Great. I’m really sorry to be running out on you like this. Maria, are you ready? We can go home and get your stuff unpacked.” Maria looked at her mother then at Michael. He had a confused look on his face. “Well Michael, are you coming or not?” Turning, she smiled as she watched the red creep onto Michael’s face. “After all you two have been through, do you think I’d leave you here? The couch is very comfortable, I bought a new one while you were gone.” As Michael and Maria walk out the door, she winks at the rest of them.

After they all left, Max turns to Liz. “Come on, I have something to show you! You won’t believe what my Dad kept for me.” On their way out, they stop by the kitchen.

“Dad, we’re going out for awhile…everyone has left. We’re going to get back to our real life tomorrow, but tonight we just want to be normal.”

“I thought you said normal isn’t in our vocabulary any more.”

“Well, we let it slip in every now and then.” She reaches up to give her father a kiss on the cheek.
“I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, Lizzie.”


They took a ride with the top down, breathing in the dry desert air. It was truly magic being home. Even though they were gone for less than a year, so much seemed to have changed.

“Where are we going Max?”

“I wanted to take a trip to the reservation, I need to see Riverdog.” He looked over at her; her hair was blowing in the breeze. After looking at her, he decided that the reservation could wait. He pulled the car over to the side of the road, parking under a tree. Getting out of the car he walks over to the passenger side and opens the door. She gives him her hand and he helps her out. Before he can start walking, she pulls him to her, taking his face in her hands.

“Max Evans, I am so very proud of you. You have so much going on, so much to deal with yet you find a way to make everyone feel everything is going to be alright. I love you.”

She took him off guard, something that she rarely did and he loved her more for it. Holding up his finger he says “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Opening the trunk of the car he finds the heavy cover that his father had used on the car. “Come with me, I want to show you something.” Grabbing the cover they walk passed the rocks into a small clearing. It was so far out of the way, no one would ever find it. Looking around Max waves his hand and everywhere they look is alive with every kind of wild flower you could imagine, and right next to them was a small brook. The sound of the water and the singing of the birds made Liz smile.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, Max. Thank you.”

Max folds the cover and places it on the ground, turning her towards him he looks into her eyes. “I hope that I have made the right decision to come back here. Liz, no one ever has had the faith in me that you do, for that I’ll always be grateful. I could never thank you enough for accepting me and loving me…”

“Max, you’re the love of my life. This life, the past life and all my future lives…I will always find you because…because…” She looks down as he runs his hand down her arm. A slight glow starts to show on her arm. “You make me glow.”

Kissing her, he picks her up and takes her to the blanket…


After a few hours, they arrive back at the restaurant. Looking around they don’t find her parents. Max doesn’t let Liz see, but he’s starting to get nervous. Surely it hasn’t started already he thinks to himself.

When they get to the living room, they find a note from her parents; they’ve gone to Santa Fe, something about a kitchen equipment show that they forgot about. Liz laughs, “There’s no show, my parents never go to those…they wanted to give us the night to be alone.”

“I like the way they think.” Picking her up he carries her towards the bedroom, opening the door, they’re met with a surprise. Her mother has found time to redo her room; it was almost like the bridal suites you see in a magazine…

Across town, Isabel picks up the phone. She knows she probably shouldn’t call Jesse, but she needed to hear his voice. As she is waiting for him to answer the phone, she realizes that with the time difference it would be close to one in the morning in Boston. Oh well, it’s already started to ring, she might as well stay on the line. She was just about to give up, when there was an answer. “Hello…”

Isabel nearly dropped the phone; it was the voice of a woman that sounded like she had been in a deep sleep…


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Taking It Back
Part Eight



Isabel didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry I woke you, I think I have the wrong number.”

“Um…That’s okay…Wait! Who were you calling?” She was still half asleep.

“Jesse Ramirez.” Isabel waited.

“Oh, you have the right number, hang on! Jesse, Jesse wake up you have a phone call.”

Oh, Jesse, no…please this can’t be. Isabel felt the tear run down her cheek. He couldn’t do this, he loves her…but she has been gone for so long. What was she going to do?

“Hel…Hello.” He wasn’t awake, what time is it? Looking at the clock he saw that it was one in the morning. “Can I help you? Is anybody there?”

“Jes…Jesse, it’s Isabel. I guess I called at the wrong time, sorry.” She felt more tears run down her face.

“Isabel! Is it really you? Oh my God…Is everything alright?” He was wide awake, he couldn’t believe his ears. “Where are you…no wait, don’t tell me.” It wouldn’t be safe for her to tell him on the phone, they could have it traced if she talked too long.

“Jesse, who answered the phone?”

“Who answered…oh! You think? Oh man, that’s just a friend from work…”

“How convenient…” The tears were turning to anger; a picture started banging on the wall, their wedding picture started to float and spin.

“I should say a group of friends from work…”

“Jesse, that’s not making it sound any better…”

He thought for a minute, and then he realized what that might sound like to her. “We were working. We have a big case coming to trial and we needed to put in some extra time on it and since I’m the only one that lives alone it was easier for them to come here. We might have disturbed the other guys’ families with an all nighter.” As he was talking, the other people started to gather up their things. They waved as they went out the door. “Bye guys, see you tomorrow.”

Isabel felt the anger start to slow down, everything started to settle back in it’s place. “I’m so sorry, I sounded like a jealous wife…well I guess I am. It’s not fair that they can be there with you.” She wiped what was left of the tears from her face. “I’m home.”

“Home as in…” He wished she hadn’t said anything on the phone; it could be dangerous for them.

“Yes, Max, well we all decided it was time, we wanted our lives back. But I can’t leave here; we don’t know what will be happening.” She prayed that he would say he would come there. That he wanted her more than that job.

“Damn, I can’t leave right now either…this case is a major one. I hate this! If I can see a way, I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you more than you know. You better go, it might not be safe to stay on any longer.”

“I love you too, Jesse. I hope you can get away soon…” She hangs up the phone, then buries her face in her pillow and cries.


Liz felt the sun coming through the window; lying on her side she watched Max sleep. It seemed like that is was the only time he really relaxed. Then she remembered that time that he walked up to her window and saw her in bed with Kyle…oh how that hurt him, but she thinks it hurt her more. Looking around the room she was glad that all of the things were different, no reminders, even though he knew the whole story now, it still bothered her to think of what she had to do.

“Hey, penny for your thoughts.” He had that half asleep look in his eye. “Did it feel good to sleep in your old bed?”

“I can sleep anywhere, as long as you’re there.” She reached up and brushed a stray hair from his face. “My mother did a nice job…she kinda went overboard with all the flowers though.”

“Oh, I don’t know, it reminds me of our little outing yesterday.” He smiles at her, then looking at the clock he decides it’s time to get up. As he starts to pull the covers back, she started to pout.

“Are we going back to our real life so soon? I kind of hoped we’d be normal for a little while longer.”

Max leans down and gives her a long kiss, pulling away, he sighs. “I have to start looking around; I need to know where we stand.” He started to think he liked being on the road, at least then they didn’t really need to mind the clock. “Then I have to see Brody…this will be the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long time. Do you want the shower first?”

“I think since we’re back home in the desert we should conserve water…” Grinning at him she runs into the bathroom, he wasn’t far behind her.


When they came down into the restaurant, they saw Michael and Maria were already there.

“Morning sleepyheads, did you sleep well?” Maria was in a good mood for that early in the morning.

“Is it safe to assume that Michael didn’t break in the new couch last night?” Max couldn’t help teasing him.

“Funny Maxwell, Maria’s mother has become very open minded these days.”

“Maria, I think today is the day to approach Brody…I need to know where things will lead, we might have to come up with a new plan if this fails.” He was worried, wonder if Brody turned them down, but he couldn’t could he?

Liz rubbed her hand on his back. “It will be okay Max…Brody gets so confused by his abductions, I think once he knows the truth he’ll be relieved. Plus when he knows that you were the one to save Sydney, he will be glad to help us.”

“I don’t want to tell him that…I want his help because he wants to give it not out of obligation.” Looking up Max sees Geoff standing there with his order pad; he was smiling at the four of them. “How was the trip to Santa Fe? You’re home awfully early.”

“We got half way there and decided we didn’t really want to go, so we spent the night out. I take it you both slept well?” Grinning he looked at Liz, she seemed to be glowing. He was happy to have them home. “Now, can I take your order?”

After they finished their breakfast order Maria added something extra. “Oh, and we need a Galaxy sub, hold the mayo and extra pepper jack please.”

Geoff knew that could only mean on thing, they would be going to see Brody. He noticed the change in Max’s face. He carried such a burden on his shoulders for such a young man. He was so proud that Liz stood by him. She seemed to get stronger with each passing day…how will they make it through whatever could come their way? It just seemed like so much for two people to survive.

When they got done with their breakfast they started looking around…they’d been back almost a full day, had they been found out? Were their enemies bidding their time, waiting for them to make one mistake? Max looks at Maria, it was showtime…”It’s now or never Maria, let’s go.” Liz takes his hand a gives it a gentle squeeze. Max looks down at her, then runs his hand over her hair…they didn’t need to talk, the touches said it all.

Maria picks up the bag with the Galaxy sub, she looks at Michael, they both know what this could mean. Michael watches them cross the street hoping that Max is right. If he is, this could open a whole new world of opportunity for them all. As he looks over at Liz, he sees something he had never seen before, she had the strength of a warrior was shining from her eyes.


Max opened the door to the UFO Center, looking around he sees that they hadn’t opened yet, which was strange. Maybe he changed the hours since we left, he thinks. Something didn’t feel right. “Maria, stay here, I don’t know what’s going on, but something’s wrong.” He goes back to where Brody used to store much of his equipment. Walking around the corner he hears a noise.
“Brody is that you? Are you okay?”

“Max? Is that you? When did you get back…?” As Brody came into view Max realized that it wasn’t Brody…it was Larek!


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

Taking It Back
Part Nine


Kyle rolled out of bed and did his usual ten push-ups. How long had it been since he started his day that way? Looking around the room he started to think about the things that had happened here. Alex and Tess, it all seemed so long ago. That was the past, now he would have to concentrate on the future. Slipping on a pair of jeans, he walked into the kitchen finding his father sipping on his coffee. "Morning Dad. Dad?” He looked over at Jim, but he seemed a million miles away. Kyle pours himself a cup and sits down at the table.
“Are you thinking about Hanson?”

“Kyle! Oh, sorry. Yea, it’s a lot to think about…I feel honored that Max has enough faith in me to trust my opinion, but it’s also a very hard call.” He looks at his son. “Here it is your first full day home and I’ve got my mind on other things.”

“That’s okay, I’ve been living with it for a long time. You don’t realize what other people go through until you live it with them. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to be in Max’s shoes for anything. How about some breakfast, I’m cooking.” He gets out a pan and goes to the refrigerator to get some bacon.

“Sure, sounds great.” As he watches Kyle, he sees how much he’s changed. He’s grown so much since he has been gone. “Did you have any exciting adventures while you were on the road?”

“A few, mostly it was a lot of driving. There’s a lot of pretty country out there, hopefully I’ll get a chance to go back and see it again.” After he checked on the bacon he got out the eggs and started to scramble them. “Do you want some cheese in this?”

“However you want to fix them, you’re the cook.” Getting up, he pours them both another cup of coffee. “So, what do you have planned for today?” Walking over to the cupboard he gets out two plates and the bread. After putting the bread into the toaster he gets the silverware and puts it on the table. “This is nice, I haven’t done something like this since you left. If I eat breakfast, it’s usually just something quick from the Crashdown.”

“I think I’ll go and see Grandpa today. Do you want to meet me over there?” He’s hoping that Jim will say yes, but he knows better.

“Gee Kyle, I don’t know, I’ve got a lot of filing to catch up on. Then there’s whole thing about Hanson. Maybe we can do it another day.” Jim saw the disappointment in Kyle’s eyes, if only he could get him to understand.

“After I see Grandpa I think I’m going to go looking for a job.” He sets their plates on the table. Going to the cupboard he reaches for a bottle of Tabasco sauce, taking it to the table he starts dumping it on everything.

“Kyle, what are you doing?” He never saw him do that before.

“Oh, it’s something I picked up on the road. It tastes real good on ice cream too.” Grinning, he keeps dumping it on the plate.

“Kyle, are you sure that’s all there is to this?” He was beginning to wonder if other things have changed in his son…



“Larek? What are you doing here?” Max didn’t know what to do. Of course this would be the perfect time to explain things to Brody, he hoped.

“I had to check on something. A signal had reached your mother that your pod had been disturbed, that something had been removed from it.”

“Yes, we found it the other day. Or I should say Liz found it. How were you going to get in to check it, we’re the only ones that can open the door to the pod chamber.” Whatever it was it must have been important if it sent a signal to their home.

“Liz, how could she? It was unknown to anyone, even the closest to your mother didn’t know about it. She only sent me because this body lives here and would have access to the chamber. As far as getting in, she gave me this…” He holds out an amulet and in the center was the sign of the Whirlwind Galaxy. “It will act as a key, but you must know the exact place to put it.”

“Liz saw it in a vision when she touched my pod…she saw my mother place it into the pod before we were sent here. I couldn’t find it, I searched everywhere inside and there was nothing there. But as soon as Liz put her hand inside there was a blue glow and she found a rolled up paper, just like the one we saw my mother put in.” Max was wondering what this meant…

Larek gave Max a strange look…could this mean what he thought it meant? She must be a strong person for this to happen. The queen had said that there would be only one that would be able to find this. “I must meet her as soon as possible because I must return this body to Brody.”

Max goes into the other room looking for Maria. She was pacing back and forth wondering what was happening. “Maria, go get Liz, Larek needs to talk to her!”

“Larek? Larek as in take us hostage and threaten our lives Larek? You want him to meet with Liz after the last time?”

“Maria that was caused by an accident. Larek isn’t like that, he won’t hurt anyone. But he has to see Liz, now. He doesn’t have much time because he is draining Brody’s body…Please get Liz before it’s too late.”

Maria lays down the bag and heads out the door. Shaking her head she hopes she isn’t making a mistake. Walking into the restaurant she sees that Liz and Michael are stilling sitting at their table. She leans over and whispers into Liz’s ear. “Liz, Max needs you to come over to the UFO Center, now. It’s Larek…”

Liz turns her head to look at Maria. “Larek is here now…what does he want with me?”

“I don’t know, but you have to go fast…he doesn’t have much time.”

Liz nods and stands up, Michael looks at them, standing up he decides he’s going too. This sounded too important to miss.

As they walk into the UFO Center, Liz could feel something in the air…something that would bring a change to their lives…

“They’re in the other room. Hurry Liz, I don’t want anything to happen to Brody.” She looks at Michael, seeing a strange expression on his face. “What? Brody is a good guy that never asked for any of this…”

Liz slowly goes around the corner, not knowing what to expect. “Max…Max, are you here?”

“In here Liz! Hurry we don’t have much time!”

Liz runs into the room, seeing Larek sitting on the floor, looking very pale. “Is he alright Max?”

“Brody’s body is getting weaker, they must make the switch soon…”

Larek looks up to Liz’s face; he too sees the warrior look in her eyes…”Your highness…it’s true then…it is my honor…” Larek’s body collapses…


To Be Continued…

[roswellbrat]

I thought I'd give you two parts tonight, just in case I didn't have a chance to make here tomorrow.



Taking It Back
Part Ten


Isabel looked at the clock, it was well past ten. She didn't mean to sleep so late, but she was exhausted after her cry. What a fool she was to ever think Jesse would do that to her. She should have known by his words, he was worried for her, for them all. He would do whatever it took to get back to her, she knew that now. Please make it soon, Jesse, she thought as she looked in the mirror. Her eyes were red, but a shower would help take care of that. What would he say when he saw her hair…he only knew her when it was shorter and darker. But with their traveling it was easier to let it go back to its normal blonde color, she liked it longer too. Oh, well, if he wants it back the other way it could be done with a wave of her hand.

Walking into her bathroom she turned on the shower, making it as hot as she could stand. Soon the steam filled every corner of the bathroom, stepping inside she let the hot water wash away all of her pain, bringing her new strength. This would be a new day, one leading her down the path of becoming who she was supposed to be. She had been drifting for a long time, never knowing who she would become, now she knew. She felt it, something was coming, something that would probably change everything for them, she wouldn’t let her family down in this life, not like she did in the last.



Brody slowly opened his eyes, looking up into the worried face of Max, Liz, Michael and Maria. He felt shaken, then he realized it must have happened again…he had been abducted.

“Brody, are you alright? Maria, go get him some water…”

“Max, what are you doing here? When did you get back?” Holding his hand to his head, he could feel the usual headache coming on…with each abduction came the headaches. “I know, don’t tell me, I was abducted again.” Maria brings him a bottle of water, opening it he takes a long drink; some of the pain began to ease.

“Max, come here.” Liz took his hand and led him to the other side of the room. He looked at her, something was different, though he couldn’t put his finger on it…then he saw it. Her eyes had a new look, they were the same but the strength in them shone like a…what was it he wanted to say? Like a warrior that would be going into battle. Placing his hand on her cheek, he looked deep into them. “What’s wrong, Max?”

Suddenly he is hit with a flash; he was in the Granolith chamber. His hair was longer and the room vibrated with explosions from somewhere. Liz was telling him he had to go, go where? He knew she was right, he had to go…all of their lives depended on him doing this, but what would happen to his life that he had now. The flash ended, as he stepped into the Granolith and placed his hand on its wall, trying for one more of Liz’s touches…”Max, what happened? Are you okay?”

“I just had a flash…I don’t know, it looked like it was in the future. My hair was longer…”

“With some gray?” Liz looked at him, smiling she remembered his reaction the last time.

“Gray? You saw gray? Did you have a flash too?”

“No, that was you, the Future you that came to me. What’s going on, why are you getting flashes like that? And why did you look at me like there was something wrong?” Liz couldn’t understand what was happening to them. Max took her hand and led her to the restroom, turning on the light he points to the mirror, telling her to look. As she looked she saw it too…her eyes had become darker, with a new look of strength. Was she still changing?

“Maxwell, I think you better come here. Brody needs to ask you something.” Michael was standing behind Max by the open bathroom door. “Oh, you saw it too. Max, I think things were better on the road…at least we seemed normal. It’s getting really strange here.”

They walked back over to where Brody is still sitting on the floor. Max leans down to get a good look at him. “Are you feeling any better? You had us worried there for a few minutes.”

“Max, why do I feel that you know everything about what’s going on. That you could answer all my questions…you can, can’t you? If you can, please, I need your help. It’s time I knew what happens to me.” Brody sat there looking up at them, his eyes pleading for some answers.

Max looked at the others, knowing that this was his opportunity to bring things out in the open. Looking at Michael, he signals for him to make sure the door was locked. They didn’t need any interruptions, not now. Reaching down to help Brody up, he looks at him. “You want the truth?”

“Yes, if you can give it to me, if you know the reasoning behind all this, then yes.”

“Well, to begin with you aren’t being abducted…”



Kyle pulled up in front of the nursing home. He hated to come into this place; no one should have to live here like this. He could understand why his father didn’t come to visit, if it was for that reason…but he had a whole different reason for not coming. He was filled with guilt, because he knew the truth and could never tell his father and because he knew he could never turn back time and take away all their pain. Opening the door, he looks around trying to see his grandfather. A nurse walked passed him, “Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find Jim Valenti, Sr?”

“And you are?” The look she gave him sent a chill up his spine.

“I’m his grandson. I’ve been out of town for awhile and I wanted to see how he’s doing.”

“We’ve had a little problem with him today.” She was leading him down the hall. “He’s in there, we had to restrain him, he was getting a bit violent.” Opening the door to his grandfather’s room, Kyle saw his arms tied down to the bed. He looked at Kyle with pleading eyes.

Kyle could feel the anger building up inside of him, this was insane, how could they do that to him. As the anger built something began to happen in the room. A breeze started to blow the curtains, and then the picture of Kyle and Jim started to come up off of the table. The nurse started to look around, what was causing this? Kyle looked around too, when his eyes fell on the mirror he saw a strange look on his face. It was then he realized he was the one causing it to happen…trying to cool his temper down, he walks over to his grandfather’s bed. Reaching down he starts to unfasten the restraints, as he does the breeze begins to slow down and the picture settles itself back on the dresser.

“You can’t do that! What if he gets violent again?” She was on the way out to get security. As she starts to leave the room the curtains begin to start blowing again.

“Lady, if I had to live like these people, I’d get a tad violent too!” Suddenly a large picture flies off the wall. “Trust me, I’m having this place investigated and if there is just one little problem, we’ll be seeing you in court!” As the nurse stepped out of the room, the door slams shut.

“It’s alright grandpa, we’ll get this straightened out.” As he looks in the mirror, he sees a stronger Kyle looking back. What is going on with me? He asks the reflection.


Brody looks on as Max once again throws the green force field. It was unbelievable, but yet it explained everything to him. As he sat there thinking about all that he had heard, something started to run through his mind. Looking first at Max then at Liz, it was then that he figured out what had happened that Christmas…

“You did it didn’t you? You healed my daughter.” He looked at Max, his eyes were becoming wet. “You risked your life to save her too.”

“I didn’t want to tell you, but yes I did it.” Max looked at Liz, all of the memories of that night in Phoenix came flooding back to him.

“And the others?”

Max just nodded. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want your help, if you gave it, because you felt obligated. This will take over your life; nothing will ever be the same for you again.”

“My life hasn’t been the same since the first time I was abducted. You’re going to get my help because it’s what must be done. We’re on the same side, and we will fight this battle together, what ever it is.” Reaching out his hand, Max took it. A feeling of relief ran through him…he had been right to include Brody. Add another one to the ever growing ‘I Know An Alien Club”.


To Be Continued…












Taking It Back
Part Eleven


"Well Max, where should we start?" Brody hadn't felt this good in years. Finally all of his questions had been answered, well maybe not all, but the most important ones.

"I guess the first thing is asking you if I can have my job back. I’m sorry about running out on you, but as you know I didn’t have much of a choice.” Max grins at Brody.

“Well, that’s a given, you are more than welcome back. Of course you might be more active behind the scenes, now.” He grins back at Max.

“Oh Brody! I almost forgot!” Maria runs into the other room. “Galaxy sub, hold the mayo and extra pepper jack.” Maria hands the bag to him.

“Maria! How nice to see you back.” Taking the bag he puts it in his little refrigerator. “I missed having you deliver my lunch. When you start back to work could you start bringing it to me again?”

“Sure no problem.” Just like old times, like they never left. Maria looked a Michael, he didn’t look too happy. “Cheer up Spaceboy, it’s only lunch.” She reaches up and whispers in his ear, “I’ll always go home with you.” Then kisses his cheek.

“Hey Max, what’s this?” Liz was looking down on the floor, seeing the amulet that Larek must have dropped, she picks it up. As soon as she does it starts to glow, then hundreds of pictures flash into her mind.

“Oh!” She drops it on the floor; it felt like it was on fire. Looking at her hand she sees a burn in the form of the design on her hand. “Max, look.”

Taking her hand, Max holds his hand over it, but when he takes his hand away, the burn was still there. “What happened, it didn’t work. How do you feel?”

“I feel fine, what does that mean? Why did I see all those flashes?” Liz was full of questions, but she knew that Max didn’t have the answers to them…no one did. As they look at the burn, it was slowly absorbed into Liz’s hand leaving no sign that it had ever been there.

“Whoa! That’s like when Michael had that V thing going on. Liz you aren’t feeling evil are you, like maybe taking up where Tess left off?”

“No Maria, I feel just like me…I don’t think this has anything to do with Tess.” Liz looked at Max as he picked up the amulet again. “What are you going to do with it Max?”

“Hold it again; I don’t think it’ll hurt you. If Larek brought this to use as a key for the pod chamber then he had planned on being here for a long time…which we know isn’t possible, Brody’s body couldn’t withstand that. I think it was meant for you, to be your key…do you remember any of the flashes?”

“There were so many of them and they passed so quickly I couldn’t really see anything.” She holds out her hand, Max places the amulet on it, very carefully. A soft hum comes from it, then it stops. She starts to look at it, turning it over she was amazed at what she saw. “Max…” The others come over to see what had happened. There on the back was Max’s face like in the destiny book, only this time Liz’s face was next to his.



Jim was just coming into the station when he saw Hanson. He didn’t want to talk to him right now, Max’s questions were still weighing heavy on his mind.

“Hey Jim, could I talk to you for a minute?” He turns to go into his office. Following behind him, Jim takes a seat across from Hanson. Looking around at once was his office, he hardly recognized it.

“What can I do for you?”

“Rumor has it that Kyle is back, the others too. Do you know anything about it? Did he ever tell you why they left? It didn’t have anything to do with the trouble that Max got into in Utah did it?”

That didn’t take long, what do I do now? Jim was thinking. “We really haven’t had a chance to talk. He was in a hurry to check on his grandfather.”

“Yea, how is your dad these days?”

“About the same as the last time I guess. Well, if there isn’t anything else…I need to finish that filing.”

“Oh, sure. I was just curious about Kyle. Tell him I said hello.” Standing up he follows Jim back outside. As he passes the desk, he tells the officer on duty that he would be out on patrol.

Jim looked around, and then headed off to work on his files. As he was pulling out some of the old files he heard a noise behind him. Turning around quickly, he sees it’s Kyle. “God Kyle, you scared me half to death! What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you, Dad. I went to see grandpa, they had him tied to his bed, they said he got violent…come on Dad, half the time he just sits there staring into space, never bothering anyone. We have to do something!” He started pacing around the room, the more he thought about what he saw the angrier he got. Jim was watching, there was something else on Kyle’s mind, what? Then he saw what was bothering him…the file cabinets started to open and files were beginning to come out all by themselves.

“Kyle, what are you doing?”

“Oh yea, that too. I made pictures float off grandpa’s dresser.”

“I think we need to go talk to Max…”



Isabel walked down the street, seeing the familiar sites, sites that she had missed all those months. I guess you can go home again, as least I hope so, she thought. Looking at her watch she realized that it was lunch time. Walking into the Crashdown she sits at the counter.

“Hey Isabel, what can I get you?”

“Oh, I had a late breakfast, but maybe I could get something for my dad, he’s probably ready for lunch.” Looking at the menu she tries to figure what to get him. “Any suggestions?”

“What about one of the wraps, he comes in every once in a while and gets one.” Geoff was glad to see that her mood had picked up since last night. “How’s Jesse?”

“How did you know?”

“You’re grinning from ear to ear. I’ll have that order for you in no time.” He winks at her as he hands the order to the cook.



“Max, I wonder what this means.” She holds it up, looking at it. “What do you think I should do with it?”

Taking it from her hand, he looks at her. Leaning in he gives her a kiss, then he slips the amulet over her head. “I think that this is where this belongs…at least for now; until we figure where it does go.



As he was getting ready to jump into the pool he had that feeling again…he didn’t like it. Something was happening and now was not a good time. But then again no time would be a good time to face him again. Reaching for the bowl of lemons, he squeezed more juice into the glass. The taste still hadn’t come back, all those years of struggling thrown away by one crazy act. He did notice the chlorine, a little bit, if the wind blew in the right direction.

Looking towards the sky, he wondered what he did that was so wrong to be saddled with this never ending job…why couldn’t I have just killed him when I had the chance. “Damn you Max Evans I thought I’d never have to see you again.”


To Be Continued…